by Lake, D. K.
"You must be, Alex." she said with a deep southern accent and the widest smile I'd ever seen, but she instantly seemed genuinely friendly. "I'm Mary." She held out her hand to me, not batting an eyelid at my freaky eyes.
"Uh...yes, that's me." I said, slipping my clammy hand into her cool one.
"And you must be the main man in her life?" she said, smiling at Drew. "And you brought a sword?" she laughed.
"Drew Caraway." Drew said, shaking her hand, trying to get a read on her.
He was so suspicious all the time but it was smart to be careful.
"Oh, Drew Caraway, very formal, and very southern by the sounds of it. Where ya from?" She winked at me and looked back at Drew, sweet talking him to get him to loosen up. Nick must have told her all about us.
"Dodge Lake, Louisiana." Drew replied. I was amazed she was actually getting words out of him.
"Well, would ya look at that. I'm from a small town myself, just down the road from that place. Ain't the world a small place?" She smiled at Drew but he stayed guarded. "Well, come on, get in here." she said, walking back to her desk, waving at us to follow her.
I hesitantly took a step forward and Drew followed me. Mary walked behind her desk and took a seat in the leather chair and gestured to the short man to fetch me a seat and he quickly found a fabric chair and placed it in front of the desk for me. I took a seat and the man found Drew another chair but Drew wouldn't sit down. He rested the sword up against the desk and remained standing at the side of the desk with a clear view of the exit.
Everyone in the room took a seat or managed to find something to perch on, but they all still had their focus on me.
"Alex, Nick won't stop talking about you." Mary clapped her hands together and leaned on the desk.
"Really?" I said.
"Well, he won't stop talking about your blood and all that other cure stuff but I don't have a clue what he's talking about." She burst out laughing. "But he tells me you were cured and that he can produce a cure using your blood. It's so fascinating but it's all science mumbo jumbo to me. I just wanna see your bite mark, am I right?" She looked around the room and a few people chuckled.
I stood up and obliged and lifted my sweatshirt and showed her my mark.
"Well, ain't that a beauty." she said, eyeing the bite.
I rolled my sweatshirt down and sat back down.
"I'm sorry about introductions, I was all for sending you to a bedroom until you came back around but Nick insisted we tie you up." she said, pulling a face, and glancing at Drew.
"Nick's a douche." Drew muttered.
"And Sophie said if you woke up in a bedroom you'd panic and think the worst so we wanted to avoid that and Nick really insisted we tie Drew up to stop him running off."
I couldn't help but smile, she was very random.
"Well, they did try." Nick chuckled walking over with a tiny teacup and saucer.
This was all so surreal. Drinking tea and eating cookies. Was I dreaming? This was not what I was expecting.
"Look, I'll cut to the chase, Nick tells me he can reproduce the cure which is pretty handy considering those monsters are killing off our population-"
"Like the sweeps, stealing healthy people off the streets!" Drew interjected.
Mary held up a finger. "Now, I had no idea, and I was as shocked as everyone else in this room, and I felt physically sick when Nick explained to me what had been going on. I honest-to-God had no idea about all of that, that's not my department. I was told the infected were collected from the hospitals on routine visits...but with that being said, I will be overseeing a lot more of what goes on down there after the things I've been hearing. And I have already had Officer Timms dismissed. And I feel downright horrible about the whole thing and Suz," Mary pointed to a woman sitting on the couch. "Suz is going to write up a formal apology which is going to be sent out via I dunno, whatever mail carrier system we run in these parts."
I watched her carefully as she talked, she looked genuine.
"I really had no idea, Alex. And when Nick told me all about your little Robin, it just broke my heart." She held her hand over her heart.
"If your such a caring person then why do you turn away older people at the hospitals." I blurted out.
"It's not what you think. We lost a lot of hospital staff, and there just isn't enough to care for everyone, so we had to prioritize. They still get all the help they need, medical supplies are handed out in van loads and the Green Banner volunteers care for the sick. We had to be practical and do the right thing for the younger ones, the ones who are going to be living in this world a lot longer than the older ones."
Ok, that made sense a little. It was still a little heartless but like she said they were still being cared for but not taking up hospital beds.
I nodded and let her continue. I think I believed her. At least they hadn't strapped me down to a chair and stuck needles in me yet.
"Now...I've already spoken to Nick and he already told me you'd be a little hostile and wouldn't want to be moved to another facility to have any more tests run or have blood taken and that you two wouldn't want to be separated, so we've all agreed it would be better if you just stayed here, a more comfortable environment."
"I'm sorry-what?" I said confused.
"I have people already downstairs setting up a laboratory. We do have a research place about a quarter mile down the road but they're in the process of transporting all the equipment to here so Nick can get stuck in."
"Uhh...how long was I out for?" I asked.
How could they do all this in one hour, two, or however long I was out?
"Oh, sweetie, didn't anyone tell you?" Mary said apologetically. "You've been out since last night, and it's nearly six." She spun the desk clock around to show me the time. Six in the evening! I had been out of it for nearly eighteen hours. Huh?
"You were out of it and wouldn't wake up anyway so I just left you to get some rest, but I might have given him a little something I found in his bag." Nick said, leaning in to whisper to me.
"Did he just say he drugged me?" Drew gritted out.
"I thought it was best if you stayed asleep until Alex woke up, less drama, and that way I knew where you both were. Anyway, what were you doing with all those meds in your bag?" Nick raised an eyebrow at Drew but Drew stayed quiet.
"I suggested we move you both to the couch but Nick insisted the chair would be more fun." Mary said, holding up her hands like she had no say in it.
"That's for making me eat a rat." Nick said and dunked a cookie in his tea and shoved it into his mouth.
"And you wonder why we wanted to escape?" I glared at Nick. "So how did your people find us?" I asked, glancing at Jonah knowing he had something to do with it.
"Ah, that would be my son, Jonah." Mary pointed to the boy who was tidying up the tea trolley.
"He's not supposed to go outside the gates, but he managed to sneak out." Mary said. "And he somehow managed to get into a different district." she sighed.
"Again." added the short guy that came to stand next to her side.
"Yes, he got out again. This isn't the first time. I had sent my people to bring him back and when they found him on his way back he told them all about what he had overheard about you two talking about the cure so I sent a whole team down to get you."
"What was Jonah even doing outside?" I asked.
"He likes to go to the comic book store and hang out with his old friends."
"Is it really safe out there for him?" I queried.
"This zone is. We have some zones that are on lockdown and others are quarantined, and the one he found you two in is one of our safer zones. Every day people have to report to the nearest station to check in, that way we know if someone doesn't turn up we send someone to check on them and make sure they're not infected, and they can collect food supplies from the stations on a daily basis. It's taken a while to get to this stage, and there are still a lot of people unaccounted for that want to stay h
idden, and after what I've heard about the sweeps, I'm not surprised they won't come out of hiding."
Nick placed his teacup on the desk and the short man quickly whipped it away and took it over to the tea trolley.
"So with your permission, Alex, I'd like it if you stayed here and Nick will oversee everything with a team of willing minions." she chuckled.
"How long do we have to stay for?" I asked.
"Um, well that's not up to me, however long Nick needs you for I guess, but we will be putting you up here and you'll have a permanent room here until you choose to leave. Your friends are welcome as well, it's not like we don't have the space. We have chefs here working all day, and there are lots of activities going on."
"There's even a pool." Nick added.
I looked up at Drew, he looked to be admiring something in the corner and when I turned around to have a look at what had caught his eye I saw his crossbow leaning against the back wall.
"Well...I guess I'll be here as long as Nick needs me." I shrugged and Mary smiled.
Drew didn't look too happy but what could I do?
"You're gonna love it here, I know I do." Mary said, standing up and walking around the desk and sitting on the edge near Nick.
Drew walked to the other side of the room to retrieve his crossbow and one of the men wearing a shirt and tie flinched when Drew walked past flipping his crossbow over in his hands. I stood up and crossed my arms.
"See, I said he'd be looking for it straightaway." Nick told Mary, nodding his head at Drew's bow.
"Where's Lane? I really want to see him." I said.
"He's in one of our suites being cared for." Mary replied.
"He's on antibiotics but he's still very sick." Nick said with a grim expression.
"Can I see him?" I asked.
"Of course. One of my team can show you the way." Mary stood up and motioned to the short man to come over to us.
"This is Wells, my personal assistant. We already had your belongings put in one of the rooms." Mary said.
"Um, both of our-" I started to say, wondering if Drew had a separate room.
"Yes, you're both in the flower room. I call it that 'cause there are flowers all over the walls and bedding, but if it's not to your liking we can move you to another room, or separate rooms?"
"No." Drew and I said at the same time. "That sounds great." I added.
"Ok then." Mary smiled. "Wells can show you to your room and then take you to see Lane if you like?"
"Yes, thank you." I said and turned to Drew who still looked unsure.
We quietly left the room and followed Wells.
Chapter 23
Wells led us along another long hallway with high ceilings. The place was so big. I had only ever seen pictures of the inside but I had no idea how big it really was.
We had just turned the corner when I saw Sophie. Hutch was tickling her and she was doubled over trying to get away from him but he had hooked one arm around her waist to stop her escaping and she had an apple in her hand and was trying to take a bite at the same time.
"Alex! And Drew!" Sophie squealed and Hutch stopped his tickle assault and put her down. "You're awake. I was just on my way down to find you, Nick said you were resting." Sophie said.
"Where have you guys been?" Hutch asked.
"Tied up." Drew said and threw a smile my way.
"So what do you guys make of this place?" I asked.
"It's amazing. They have hot showers, air con, DVDs, and fresh food." Sophie said excitedly showing me the apple.
I could tell she had recently had a shower because her hair looked clean and I could smell her shampoo and all the other products she must have used wafting off of her.
"I meant the people, not the appliances." I said.
"Oh...well, we were a little nervous at first when they brought us in, but Mary was quick to assure us that they were friendly. We had to wait in a room while she talked to Nick, and we were served hot teas and nibbles, and then afterward they showed us to our rooms and told us to enjoy ourselves. We had turkey sandwiches at lunchtime, I haven't eaten turkey in years!" Sophie said.
"Are you guys in one of these rooms along here?" Hutch asked.
"Um...?" I had no idea.
"Alex and Drew are on the next floor up." Wells answered.
"Come and find us later, we can hang out." Sophie said. "Have you seen Lane yet?" she asked, glancing at Drew.
"No, we're just on our way up to our room and then I'm going to go and see him after. How is he? Have you seen him?"
"He's not great at the moment, but they've got him on antibiotics and he should start to feel better in a day or so. He really wants to see you. He keeps asking about you." Sophie told me.
Hutch waved goodbye to us and dragged Sophie away with him into one of the bedrooms and I heard her giggling as he threw her on the bed. At least some of us were having fun. I was more worried about finding Lane.
By the time we arrived at the door to our room, I had lost all my bearings and finding my way back to Nick or the office would be impossible. I glanced at Drew hoping he had been taking note of all the hallways but he was staring at the floor and looked to be in deep thought.
"Here we are, this is where you two are going to be staying." Wells said.
I smiled and let Wells open the door while I tried to get Drew's attention.
"You ok?" I whispered.
Drew looked up at me and just nodded. He looked tired and in need of proper sleep, in a bed and not a chair. He nodded his head at me to go in first and I stepped inside. Wells was already standing by the windows adjusting the drapes and making sure they were pulled back enough. The room had floral decor all over the walls, that matched the bedspread and the large rug on the floor. The drapes were dark blue and there were canvas paintings hanging on the wall that looked old. It was a little old fashioned and dull even with all the flowers but I wasn't about to complain. I sat on the edge of the bed and picked up my bag that was on the floor next to the nightstand. I opened it up and looked inside, everything looked to be in there. Drew walked over to the chair by the window where is own bag was and he searched through it.
"There are clean clothes in the closet for you both to wear if you would like. And the bathroom is through here." Wells walked to a dark blue panel in the wall which I thought was just part of the decor but it opened up into a large en-suite bathroom.
I followed him inside where he showed me around. (Yes, the bathroom was that big I needed a tour). A large shower cubicle and a bathtub that had jets and a large selection of bubble baths. There were two sinks and a toilet was hidden behind a low wall at the back. It all looked rather fancy. I was used to peeing behind a tree. I walked back into the bedroom and saw Drew keeping an eye on something through the window. I think he was still dubious about this place.
"Would you like to get cleaned up first before you see Lane?" Wells asked.
I shook my head. "No, I think I can survive a few more hours without a shower. Drew are you coming?"
Drew didn't respond but silently followed us out of the room. Wells led us back down a different stairwell to the one we came up and along another hallway which had floor to ceiling windows and as we turned the corner, there was a woman in a maid's outfit just coming out of a room with a trolley which had dirty cups and empty plates on. Wells held the door open for her and she smiled at us before she pushed the trolley down the hallway.
"He's in here." Wells said and held the door open for me.
"I'll wait out here." Drew said gruffly and lifted himself up onto the window ledge.
"Do you think you can find your way back from here?" Wells asked.
"Uh...I guess."
"If you get lost just ask one of the staff and they can show you the way."
Wells smiled at me before he walked off. I walked into the dark room, the drapes were closed and the TV was on, flickering and lighting up the walls.
As I walked further inside I could hear Margo. W
hy did she have to be in here?
I wandered in further and saw Lane and Margo stretched out on the four-poster bed. Margo was holding a bowl of popcorn and hand feeding pieces to Lane, and she was giggling at something he had said while some sci-fi TV show played on the big screen. It felt rude to interrupt them because they looked like they were in the middle of something and I hated to admit it but they were a good match. Lane with his handsome features, blond hair, green eyes and body off the charts and Margo with her beauty and ample boobs that were straining against the vest top she was wearing and the casual lounge pants she was wearing but on her, they somehow looked sexy. I hated to admit it but they looked like the perfect couple.
"Hiii." I said, waving my arm around to get their attention.
Margo saw me first and sat up and nudged Lane and he tilted his head my way.
"Alley, I was wondering when you were going to come and see me." Lane grinned, waving me over.
This made a change to the cold shoulder he had been giving me the past three weeks.
And it was weird hearing him call me, Alley again. It just sounded out of place when he said it now. I smiled softly and edged a little further inside the room.
"Nick said you were still asleep."
"Yeah. I just woke up. I haven't even had time to shower. I just wanted to check in and see how you are."
"Come and sit with us." Lane suggested and patted the spot next to him.
The unhappy look on Margo's face told me she didn't want to share the bed with me as well. But she quickly slid off the bed and placed the popcorn on the side. "Where are you going?" Lane asked with a small frown.
"I'm just gonna go and check on the others, and see what time dinner is ready. I'll be back soon." she assured him and then she walked back to the bed and surprised Lane with a quick kiss on the lips before leaving the room with a satisfied smile on her face. I rolled my eyes but made sure Lane never saw it. It made no difference to me whether those two got together now. If Lane wanted to give it a go then that was up to him. I didn't really like her but it wasn't really up to me who Lane spent time with anymore.